Presumptive Benefits...what are they?
When you claim that a disabling condition is caused by military service, you have to prove that allegation.
Or do you?
How to Fight VA Debt
Military members know that when DoD gives
you too much money, it will come back for it.
The VA is similar, but the system is worse.
Thinking of Filing a VA Disability Claim?
You need an IMO...Here's why;
We propose that veterans who are filing claims
take charge of the process, avoiding the flawed C & P exam report by having their own Independent Medical Opinion and DBQs completed by expert doctors who
are not employees of the VA. Although this brings about
an expense the veteran must bear, we believe that
any out of pocket expense is an investment toward
a faster claims resolution and is thus justified.
Keep Reading...
Urgent Care Centers
One of the most important benefits you have today is
the authorization to use an urgent care center
near to you. But first, you have to
to take with you. Don't wait until you need this
benefit to prepare for it. Read this now,
print your papers and be prepared!
Top Searches
Google Tracks You
and we don't.
DuckDuckGo apps block
Google's hidden trackers.
Get unbiased results
outside the Filter Bubble.
Robert Wilkie <robert.wilkie@va.gov> 855-948-2311
'How To Lie With Statistics'
Other-than-honorable discharge?
You’re still eligible for VA mental health care
Scheduled For A C & P??? Filing A Claim?
This is a must read for you!!!
I've been posting this again and again over the years
and it's still one of the best ways I know to win
your case. Published in 2002 the principles and much of
the verbiage still applies and is in daily use at the VA.
How to download VA benefit letters
To receive some benefits, Veterans need a letter proving their status. Access and download your VA Benefit Summary Letter (sometimes called a VA award letter) and other benefit letters and documents online.
VA Releases Survivors Quick Start Guide
Reference guide to help during final
arrangements planning
What You Should Know about Disability and Debt
There Are Protections...When it comes to debt collection, disability income enjoys special status.
Social Security’s Wounded Warriors website
We’re there to provide comfort during difficult times
Veteran Disability Claims: Nexus and IMO Letters
To meet the nexus requirement, the veteran must have an evaluation by a physician that will establish that the veteran is indeed disabled and also that his disability is as likely as not caused by his military service. There are two methods used to establish such a nexus; one is independent medical examination and the other is independent medical opinion.
How about Medicare Parts A and B?
Maybe Part F+? Part D?
Oh, unless you live in
Massachusetts, Minnesota or Wisconsin.
Confused? Just wait until you hear about
programs such as Medicare
Part C or a Medicare Advantage policy.
It's Your Right To See Your Medical Records.
It Shouldn't Be This Hard To Do
At a time when many insurers and health information technology companies are busily assembling databases
of hundreds of millions of medical records, Americans
find it difficult to get access to their own.
No-Cost Flu Shot Options for Veterans
This year, enrolled Veterans of the VA health care system have several options to get a flu shot. VA now offers more options, easy access, and seamless records.
your disability claim
If you’ve filed a claim for disability compensation, you can continue uploading more evidence for up to one year to support your claim. Evidence may include supporting documents like medical test results, doctor’s reports, and other records. Upload your evidence online now.
An IMO by an expert often makes the difference!
Overpayment? VA proposing to claw back
money from your benefits? Submit a Compromise Offer to the Debt Management Center.
Medical Marijuana Card
Tell the doctor you saw it on VAWatchdog
and ask about veterans discounts!
Government Accountability Office
Focus Needed to Prevent Disqualified Providers from Delivering Patient Care
Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment
Additional information needed to support claim
Direct Deposit - May I apply by telephone?
Why Getting a Diagnosis Matters
A diagnosis does so much more than get noted in your medical history. It also can help you apply for programs like Social Security Disability and medical marijuana cards. And maybe even more importantly, it can help you explain yourself to friends, colleagues and family.
Do You Need Medical Care
RIGHT NOW?
You are already authorized
to use an urgent care clinic!
The VAWatchdog
doesn't ask for donations, we don't have fees, we don't ask you to register...you can't find a way to give us your money. We're supported by advertising. When you shop via the VAWatchdog,
we'll get a small piece of that.
You get top quality at a good price and you support our mission.
Thank you!!!
Create or update your will today – fast and 100% free
Make your will with FreeWill today
We have advance healthcare directives, healthcare proxies, living wills and durable financial power of attorney.
All are free to use.
Is your disability pay fair game in a divorce?
(Yeah, it is...)
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Launchpad
App for Veterans (VA Launchpad) contains select VA applications (apps) for Veterans and their Caregivers.
New apps will automatically appear in the VA Launchpad when they become available. Organizing VA health information and resources into five categories, it quickly accesses and launches the VA app of your choice. With VA Launchpad, VA intends to save you time and help you better integrate available VA apps into your life.
4 Facts About Your Social Security
Benefits You May Not Know
Arming yourself with knowledge about the
complicated benefits process will
help you better prepare for retirement.
The Schedule For Rating Disabilities
If you're thinking of filing a claim or initiating an appeal of a denied claim, this is your new best friend. The details of exactly what you need to meet a rating are here and in use every day. Yes, it's complex. Yes, it's cumbersome. Yes, knowing how to use The Schedule is a necessity if you want to file a successful claim. Go for it!
Vets being duped by Social Security rumor mill
Owe VA Money???
To Loneliness And Isolation For Seniors
Did you know that hearing loss and tinnitus are the
most commonly rated veterans disabilities? Did you
know that hearing loss and tinnitus can cause
other secondary conditions, particularly mental
health problems like depression and loneliness?
Jim Strickland is a Vietnam era Army veteran and nationally recognized expert on VA disability benefits
and a member of the Stateside Legal Website Advisory Board. Jim's Mailbag, is a regular column where veterans,
servicemembers, and family members can ask Jim their questions about VA and Social Security disability benefits.
You can browse all of these Q&As here, and search the Jim's Mailbag archives for helpful answers.
Email Jim your question for a quick and confidential reply. jim912@gmail.com
This year Alabama, California, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, and
Pennsylvania--reinstated the reconsideration.
Everything you ever wanted to know about how
the VA benefits system works but were afraid to ask.
Welcome to the
The Users Guide
VAWatchdog Dot Org
VAWatchdog Dot Org
PAPER Evidence Records
and Claims All Go Here
V A Claims Intake Center
PO BOX 4444
JANESVILLE, WI
53547- 4444
Toll Free Fax:
844-531-7818
Military Records DD 214
Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs)
Official Personnel Folders (OPF)
Can VA Disability Compensation Be Used
to Calculate Child Support or Income?
Veterans' disability benefits are compensation for
the veteran's impaired earning capacity and are intended to "provide reasonable and adequate compensation for disabled veterans and their families." They are not supposed to be for the sole support of the veteran, but can be counted in child support calculations to provide for the veteran's dependents as well. If the veteran wasn't disabled, he would be earning an income upon which the court would base child support; since disability benefits replace that income, child support can be based upon it.
Why You Need An IMO!
Accuracy of Claims Decisions Involving
The OIG determined that VBA incorrectly
processed more than half
of the 62,500 veterans’ claims.
You've Arrived at the VAWatchdog Dot Org!
Welcome Home
We've been keeping veterans informed of news and events important to them since 2005.
You'll find all you need to file your claim and referrals to professionals who can help you when things don't go well.
What you won't find here is unending chat or opinions from strangers who like to think of themselves as experts.
Our goal is to ensure that you are awarded the benefits you earned with your service to our country.
We're here to help you take charge of your benefits, and that is all.
Extra schedular ratings under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)
How can I get an extra schedular rating?
To receive an extra schedular rating the veteran must first show that the veteran’s conditions result in a disability picture that is not covered by the schedule of ratings.
How To Increase An Existing Rating %
Gather your evidence and records to support the increase.
If there are civilian medical records, you have to gather those for yourself.
Do not rely on VA to obtain your civilian records.
Determine exactly what your current ratings are before you proceed.
Dig out those original award letters so that you know exactly what sort of benefits and ratings you
have. Don't just guess at it, get the facts. You may need to check your records at the eBenefits site.
Look at the ratings table for your existing benefit.
The Schedule For Rating Disabilities is your guide to what you may be eligible for. You may
learn that your current rating is already at the maximum or that you're current
rating is seriously deficient. You have to research it to know.
GLOVERLUCK
Veterans Law At Your Service
PTSD and other mental impairments
Military Sexual Trauma
Traumatic Brain Injury
Agent Orange exposure
Camp Lejeune water contamination
Gulf War Syndrome
Asbestos or Radiation exposure
Federal Tort Claims/Title 38 U.S.C. 1151
Also known as FTCA and Section 1151 Claims
Nationwide Representation
844 244 VETS (8387)
Do It Yourself
You Do NOT Need A Representative
We are a DIY site!
If you have an existing rating and you believe that the rated condition is worse
than it was when it was rated or if you believe that your rating is just too low, you
must formally file a claim to increase the rating.
Talking with your doctor or other veterans won't get the process started.
You have to submit the forms. No form, no benefit!
Thomas J. Seiter, Jr., M.D.
Independent Medical Opinions
Disability Benefit Questionnaires (DBQ's)
Service & Civilian Medical Record Reviews
Nexus Letters
A VETERAN FOR VETERANS
Proven Results • Direct Communication • No Fees Unless You Win
Nationwide Representation
Free Phone Consultations - (844) 838-7529
You must consider an IME or an IMO
An Independent Medical Examination or an Independent Medical Opinion
will often make the difference when the details of your claim aren't clear.
The physician who conducts such an exam is a neutral
observer and an expert in disability medicine.
Be as precise as you can to describe just what it is that you want.
Provide supporting evidence.
Congratulations! You're done.
Proceed With Caution!!!
Any time we ask VA to open our file to make any adjustment, we open ourselves up to a
complete review of all ratings. Many veterans get an unpleasant surprise when they discover
that their request for an increase leads to a proposal to decrease a rating. You have an absolute
right to be rated appropriately for each disabling condition you may have incurred during your
honorable military service. If you feel that your rating is not correct for your condition, by all
means seek an increase. Before you do...be sure that you can't lose. Check your current
condition's symptoms against the standards you find in The Schedule For Rating Disabilities.
Match your physical or mental health status to the ones you find there.
If you are confident that you can prove your entitlement to a higher rating, go for it.
If you aren't sure, sometimes sleeping dogs are best left to just lie there.
The 5 Best Perks of Social Security
Chances are that Social Security has your
back in more ways than you realize.
Get your VA medical records online
Our online tools can help you view, organize,
and share your VA medical records and personal
health information. Find out if you’re eligible
and how to sign in to start using these tools.